Ebola Outbreak and Conflict Crisis in Democratic Republic of Congo

A deadly outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in over 5,500 cases and more than 2,600 deaths across six provinces in the last 100 days. The World Health Organization declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May. This outbreak is the fastest growing in the country's history, with a case fatality rate of approximately 48 percent, and it has begun spreading into Uganda. More than 60 frontline health workers have died during the response.

The health crisis is coinciding with a raging conflict in eastern DRC between government forces and the M23, an armed rebel group. The M23 militia, which is led by ethnic Tutsis and allegedly backed by Rwanda, has seized significant territory in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. This conflict has displaced over 5 million people and killed thousands of civilians. Recently, the DRC government and M23 agreed on a road map for peace negotiations following mediation by Qatar and meetings in Switzerland.

Experts indicate that the conflict is exacerbating the epidemic. In the Ituri province, decades of violence have left the public health system neglected, leading to delayed detection of cases. Additionally, mistrust of foreign health workers and attacks on staff over the restriction of traditional funeral rites have hindered containment efforts. While the WHO, Africa CDC, and countries including India have provided support, some observers argue that the global response from the West is muted compared to the 2014 to 2016 West African Ebola outbreak.